October 30, 2013

Are you and your dog getting bored with the monotonous walks around the neighborhood? Of course you are! Humans and dogs alike need to change it up once in a while. Luckily, there is a website for dog owners to get their next adventure for them and their furry friend to go on. Just copy and paste this URL into your web browser http://adventure.dogtime.com. This website also informs dog owners on pick-up tips from outdoor experts, allows owners to share their own stories with fellow dog lovers, and earn point that can be used for donations to non-profit animal organizations and prizes for themselves and their pup. You’ll never run out of activities to do with your dog!

Okay, I know you’re excited with the points so I’ll start with that. The way that you earn these points is by sharing the featured articles, posts, images, videos, etc., submitting a post, and getting your post approved and posted on the site. Check out this page to see exactly what your points get you http://eukanuba.voicestorm.com/Page/Points. Now, all you need to do is start making memories with your dog, posting them on this blog, and earning donations for great causes.

October 29, 2013

Wildlife rescue insurance is simply important for organizations that help protect endangered species. Like animal shelters and clinics, these venues specialize in protecting and rescuing wild life. They also feature onsite physicians that treat animal injuries and other mishaps. These organizations are found across the nation, and offer services for both domestic and wild animals. They also take care of animals that are housed at local zoos and even animal museums. While these entities offer valuable services to the community, they are not exempt from lawsuits or other legal issues. In order to protect your animal or wildlife agency, you simply need the right insurance.

If you are struggling to find coverage for your organization, sites like AWOIPOnline.com. They specialize in helping animal welfare organizations find the right insurance plans and coverage. When it comes to wildlife rescue insurance, there are different types of policies available. According to experts, general liability insurance is a must. This type of coverage protects your organization from faulty claims and legal issues. It also protects your agency from lawsuits that stem from falls, slips, and other mishaps on your property. Whether it is a guest, visitor, or even an employee, you want to protect the physical integrity of your property as well. As a result, property insurance is also a worthwhile and lasting investment.

While all shelters strive to protect their volunteers, visitors, and animals, accidents do occur. This includes dog bites, along with injuries resulting from slips or falls. Whether you’re a director, manager, or volunteer, accident and health insurance is simply mandatory. In fact, this is considered the most common type of wildlife rescue insurance on the market. Sadly, a number of accidents occur within animal shelters and organizations each year. While the most common accidents are animal bites, volunteers have also been exposed to certain illnesses and medical ailments. With proper health or accident insurance, however, their medical costs will be covered by the respective organization or company across the board.

If you require property, professional liability, or accident insurance, AWOIPOnline.com is committed to meeting your needs within time and budget. Remember, even wildlife rescue agencies can be sued or face legal threats on a daily basis. To effectively secure your property and volunteers, simply get comprehensive coverage that offers maximum protection at every turn. For more information on wildlife rescue insurance, contact AWOIPOnline.com for convenient quotes and plans.

October 28, 2013

Many organizations choose to have adoption events at community events or at stores such as Petco and PetSmart. These events are very important to bringing exposure to your organization and finding homes for the dogs and cats that are under your care. If your organization holds off-site adoptions, reducing the chance of injuries to the public should be one of your utmost concerns.

Injuries that could have been easily prevented can be a drain on your financial resources and raise your insurance premiums. In some cases, a history of liability claims may result in cancellation of your insurance coverage.

You can prevent injuries by enforcing the following policies:

Make sure that you have enough staff on hand to supervise the pets and the people who stop by to visit your area

Trim the nails of the pets for adoption before the event, if possible

Do not allow people to pick up or handle the animals without assistance from your staff

Setup your area so that all pet cages are in view in order to make sure the animals are not unduly disturbed

Keep small children away from the pet areas because they may be prone to placing their faces or fingers too close to the animals or teasing them If possible, have all animals up-to-date on vital vaccinations such as their rabies shot

Provide disinfection stations for people to clean their hands before and after visiting with the pets

By following these policies, you can prevent insurance claims from injuries received at off-site adoptions. This will help keep your insurance premiums in check and maintain a good reputation for your organization.

October 24, 2013

Planning for that special occasion can be fun and exciting but it also needs organization to be a success. It is important to make the right planning decisions and to have a grasp of what your audience may expect from the special event. Below are some simple tips:

One, identify the sort of event you want and the audience expected to attend the event. For example if you’re planning a cocktail party you might consider providing alcohol, appetizers, some music, perhaps a live band. With music you’ll need to consider the age group attending the party.

Two, decide on the budget and stick to it. Remember when compiling a budget to take into account rental, location of the venue, food and drink, seating, music or live entertainment, decorations, audio equipment, electrical supply and invitations stationary.

Three, choose your vendors which might be: caters, entertainment and florist. When choosing a caterer remember who your audience is, age, meat eaters or vegetarians or those who might need special diets.

Four, send invitations in good time but not too early. You don’t want people to forget and make other arrangements, but at the same time you’ll want to give them good warning to prepare for the special event. The right timing to send invitations is important. You’ll also need to know by return of the invitations slip who is expected to attend.

Five, Pick a theme and buy decorations to suit. Also will you need eating utensils, table cloths, napkins, cups and plates etc?

Six, appoint someone to be overall responsible for the event. Keep contact numbers and addresses and have a plan ‘b’ should something go wrong or someone important to the event doesn’t show up.

Lastly, be sure you have all the necessary insurances. You can buy special event insurance, but look carefully at the terms you may need additional insurances for liability or loss or damage to hired equipment.

If you plan carefully you special event will be a success and enjoyed by all who attend. The perfect special event has been well planned throughout from the moment of inception.

October 23, 2013

Volunteer insurance is available to animal rescues and shelters as protection for their volunteers. It covers volunteers from injuries that are incurred while doing their volunteer duty. It provides peace of mind to the rescue owner because it gives protection to both the volunteer and the rescue organization. Volunteers can feel secure because they know that if they get injured they will be covered and not subject to costly medical bills from their volunteer work. This helps volunteers feel secure in doing their job and in turn makes them happier and more confident.

Rescues are always working on a tight budget and all it would take is one accident or lawsuit to shut the whole operation down. If a volunteer at your organization were to suffer some kind of accident that their insurance wouldn’t cover, would you be prepared? What if there is an injury and you are sued, are you prepared for that? If you have had a hard time getting insurance for your rescue then call us. Volunteer insurance is not something that regular insurance companies deal with and it’s even possible they don’t know it exists. Companies that do know how to deal with animal rescues and shelters know exactly what you need and can make recommendations of how much insurance to buy.

Volunteer insurance can be a comforting factor for volunteers. When you tell them that you have an insurance policy that covers them at your rescue you are letting them know you are running a professional organization and that you really appreciate the work that they do. A volunteer who knows you have taken the time to get insurance for them will be more motivated to work and that translates into better care for the animals and for the guests of your rescue.

Take the time to explore what volunteer insurance can do for your organization. The peace of mind for both the owner and volunteers at the rescue is well worth the cost. If you have been searching for insurance for your rescue and encountering dead ends then dealing with a company that specializes in volunteer insurance could be the solution to your problem.

October 22, 2013

As the director of an animal rescue, you’re going to face many challenges. One of those challenges will be the fact that at least some of the animals you take in won’t have been properly vaccinated and could be quite ill. If you don’t have a plan for handling Zoonotic diseases, illness can quickly spread through your shelter, putting the lives of the animals you’re trying to save at risk, while simultaneously increasing the amount of money you have to spend on vet care.

To decrease the chances of an outbreak occurring, you need to take the time to train your volunteers on how to identify, respond to, and treat the different Zoonotic diseases they encounter.

Educate Your Volunteers

Before you let anyone do anything at the shelter, you should have a training period. At least part of this training program will involve discussing the diseases common to your area and the types of animals you receive. By the time they complete the training program they should be able to identify the signs of common illnesses, and what to do if they suspect they’ve just taken in a sick pet.

Teach Them What Questions to Ask

If you take in pets that have been surrendered by the owners, you need to make sure that your volunteers have been properly trained on what questions they should ask about what vaccinations the animal has had, and collecting the contact information for the animal’s vet.

They Need to Be Alert

The trick to preventing zoonotic diseases from spreading throughout your shelter is recognizing that one of your animals isn’t feeling well. Make sure your volunteers know that as soon as they suspect an animal is getting ill, they need to place it in quarantine and promptly start sterilizing the pen, toys, and feed dishes the ill animal used.

Stress the Importance of Protecting Their Own Pets

Since someone is volunteering at your shelter they obviously love animals and most likely have a few pets of their own. Make sure you make it very clear that by helping out in the shelter there’s a chance that they could come into contact with diseases which they could carry back home with them, and that the best way to keep their own pets safe and healthy will be by keeping on top of their pets standard inoculations.

October 21, 2013

Running a non-profit animal shelter means that you’re already squeezing every dime for all it’s worth, and cutting back as much as you can on your expenses. Considering how much liability insurance can cost, and how infrequently it gets used, it’s understandable that your insurance might be something you think about dropping.

Don’t do it.

Your Animal Rescue is Important, Make Sure it’s Protected

You know that your animal shelter is safe for both your pets, the people who come to visit them, and your volunteers. The odds of someone getting hurt while on your property might seem slim, but there’s a big difference between slim and impossible. All it takes is one careless moment, or one unforeseen circumstance and you could find yourself in the middle of a lawsuit that puts your entire animal rescue program at risk. The fact that you are dealing with animals, and can’t predict exactly how they will react to visitors or situation further increases the chances of someone getting hurt.

Having SPCA insurance means that you, your shelter, and your volunteers will be protected if an accident happens, and that you will be able to stay open for business.

What SPCA Insurance Covers

Your animal rescue isn’t like every other rescue, there are traits that make it unique. SPCA insurance providers know this and have done a great job of creating insurance plans that can be customized to perfectly suit your needs.

Getting the Most Out of Your Insurance

In addition to choosing a SPCA insurance policy that covers every aspect of your animal shelter, you should also take care when choosing the agent you will be working with. You’re going to be happiest and feel the most protected when you have an insurance agent who loves pets and is excited about the work that you do. Finding one who has hands on experience with animal shelters similar to yours is a bonus.

If something does go wrong, you need to notify your insurance agent right away!

October 17, 2013

Animal rescue efforts cannot keep up with the number of animals needing help each day. To reach more people and spread the word about the growing need for funding and homes for animals, the networks by which word spreads need broadening. Social media remains popular with Facebook leading in popularity. Here you will find other social networking ideas to help garner interest in animal rescue efforts.

Tumblr allows members to post on any issue desired while including links to blogs, websites and YouTube. The website currently receives more the 80-million posts a day. Members post thoughts, interesting facts, videos and pictures. Gaining followers delivers more views of any website linked within.

NING sees more than 7-million users monthly. NING allows members to create their own social website for a monthly fee. They help build the website and help promote it, depending on the package chosen. With the ability to create a unique social website just for animal rescue, the potential for growth becomes larger. Through links provided in blogs at Veterinarian websites and other animal related websites, animal rescue will reach countless people.

MomCafe also hosts more than 7-million users every month. Members can join existing groups or create their own group to promote on the website. Working moms and stay-at-home moms use the website to share information and provide helpful tips on a variety of subjects. Animal rescue will gain followers on MomCafe when a group forms to promote the needs of animals.

New to the social media world, Paws Hooves and Claws offer a Facebook experience to animals and their owners. Through use of the group features, animal rescue will reach more people and do so in a forum specifically dedicated to animals. The website allows links to other web pages and websites for more views.

Petbook features a stray dog group devoted to animal rescues. However, the group only has five members so far. This site creates Facebook-like pages for pets and owners with social features like groups. The potential at Petbook to gain support from the public grows with the ability to write blogs and create interest on other sites, which will link to the stray dog group or a new animal rescue group.

Opportunities to gain support for animal rescue through social media expands with sites dedicated to pets and specific groups who share information daily.

October 16, 2013

Having good homes is an important aspect of running a pet shelter that handles adoptions. Going to a foster home allows animals to adjust to the challenges they will face when they’re adopted by their forever home. Knowing how to choose the volunteers that will make the experience positive for the pet is critical.

They Need to Be Experienced

Anyone who wants to provide a foster home for any of the animals in your shelter needs to have experience with that type of pet. Ask lots of questions about what they did with their pets, how they handled training issues, and what they learned from the pet.

Make Sure they’ve had a Family Discussion

The lives of every person in the house will be impacted by their new foster pet. During the interview process, you need to make sure that everyone is on board, and ready to handle whatever challenges they encounter.

Tour the Home

As the director of the animal shelter, the pet’s safety and well being is your responsibility. You need to make sure the foster home doesn’t pose an immediate threat to the animal’s life. Just because you have identified areas that cause you concern, you shouldn’t automatically dismiss the families application. Discuss the situation. If they’re willing to make some changes, it’s a positive sign that they will be good foster parents.

Discuss How they Plan to Handle Training and Discipline

Every person who turns in a foster application will have their own ideas about training and discipline. You need to make sure those ideas align with yours. Find out if the applicant is willing to go through a training program to learn how to deal with the challenges fostering a rescue animal can create.

Be Prepared to Part

The hardest part of the fostering process is the fact that the time will come when the foster parent and pet have to say good-bye. It’s very important that you make sure the families who volunteer for the process are prepared to part. If the entire process has been positive, it won’t be long before they’re ready to take on another pet who’s in need of fostering.

Once you have selected a family to foster a pet, it’s important that you stay in regular communication with them.

October 15, 2013

As difficult as finding funding for an animal rescue can be, trying to find a volunteer for animal shelters who have experience working with the type of animals you rescue, are reliable, and who are willing to donate more than one or two hours of time each month can be even more difficult.

Cooperative Extension

Your county’s Cooperative Extension program deals with the local teens and adults who are involved with 4-H. These are people who love animals, have lots of enthusiasm, and are always looking for volunteering experience. Not only will the Cooperative Extension service help connect you to experienced volunteers, but if you can somehow align your program with 4-H, they will become your biggest supporters.

The Veterinarian’s Office

As the director of an animal rescue, you already work closely with your local vet. Don’t be afraid to ask them if they know anyone who likes to volunteer for animal shelters. Even if they can’t give you a name at that moment, if they encounter anyone who is interested in animal shelters, they’ll pass your phone number on.

Post a Memo on a Local College Message Board

Students who are in college are often looking for ways that they can pad their resumes. Working as a volunteer at animals shelters is a great way to do this. Post an ad on a message board and you should get several calls from young people want to know what they can do to help.

You Need to Be Involved

When you volunteer with organizations like therapeutic riding groups or pet adoption groups you will connect with people who will be exactly the kind of volunteer you’ve been looking for. The more involved you are, the more people you connect with!

If someone is reliable and they are willing to learn, it’s worth your while to spend some time teaching them how to properly interact with the animals. There’s a good chance that with just a little effort on your part, they will gain the experience they need and become your star volunteer. They might even become good enough that you can trust them to work with the next up and coming volunteer for animal shelters who needs more experience!